Pakistan sealed a dominant series win at home by defeating Bangladesh by 57 runs in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, marking their first home series victory in over three years.
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted an imposing 201/6 on the back of explosive half-centuries from Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz. The hosts lost Saim Ayub early, run out in the second over, but Farhan and Mohammad Haris put on a rapid 103-run stand in just eight overs, laying a solid foundation.
Farhan blazed 74 off 41 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six sixes and four fours, while Haris added 41 from 25 balls. Despite losing both set batters in quick succession, Pakistan maintained momentum. Hasan Nawaz, who had provided a cameo in the first T20I, took charge alongside skipper Agha Salman. Nawaz carried the innings to a close, remaining unbeaten on 51 from 26 balls, with two fours and three massive sixes.
Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up two wickets each, while Rishad Hossain went for 50 runs for his solitary scalp.
In reply, Bangladesh began positively with a 44-run opening partnership between Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan. However, the innings fell apart rapidly after Emon departed for 8. Tanzid played an aggressive 33-run knock off 19 balls but fell to Faheem Ashraf, triggering a dramatic collapse.
Litton Das, the star of the first T20I, could only manage six runs before falling to Hasan Ali. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed delivered a game-changing double blow, reducing Bangladesh to 56 for 5. Abrar struck again in his next over, while Shadab Khan also chipped in, leaving the visitors struggling at 70 for 7 by the halfway mark.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzim Hasan Sakib briefly resisted, taking Bangladesh past 100, but Khushdil Shah’s breakthrough ended their stand. Tanzim’s valiant 50 off 31 balls kept Bangladesh’s hopes flickering, but his dismissal by Saim Ayub ended the innings at 144 all out.
Abrar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing three wickets, while every other Pakistani bowler apart from captain Agha Salman took a wicket.
With this commanding win, Pakistan take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, having already won the opening game by 37 runs on Wednesday.
Teams:
Pakistan XI: Salman Ali Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwary, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.
